Switch for overhead-trolley tracks.



Patentgd June l2, I900.

2 Sheets-Sheet l P. F. WERNER. SWITCH FOR OVERHEAD TRDLLEY TRACKS.

(Application; filed Apr. 12, 1900.)

No. 651,56l.

(No Model.)

TNE flofims PETERS 00., PHQTO-LlTHO-, WASHINGTON n No. 65|,56l. Patentedlune l2, I900. P. F. WERNER.

SWITCH FOR OVERHEAD TROLL'EY TRACKS.

(Application filed Apr. 12, 1900.). (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

fication, Figure 1 is a applicable;

like manner by making side.

rrs STATES PATEEN Fries.

SWITCH FOR. OVERHEAD-TROLLEY TRACKS.-

SZPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No; 651,561, dated June12, 1900.

Application filed .l riiiaisoa Serial No. 12,622. came.)

ro head-trolley tracks, one object thereof being to provide a switch ofsuchconstruction that it may beadapted to whatever arrangement ofintersecting tracks that may be constructed, either curved orstraight,or any combi- I 5 nation of the curved and straight tracks together.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for operating theswitches either from a position near the latter or remote 2o therefrom.

The invention consists'in the construction described in the followingspecification and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings forming part of this speciplan view of a switch 7embodying this invention adapted to operate at the junction of a curvedwith a straight track. Fig. 2 is a section on line 2 2, Fig. 1,

and showing means for operating the switch.

0 Fig. 3 shows the switch adapted to operate at the junction of twocurved tracks, the switch being set for the right-hand track. Fig. 4 isa sectional view of the switchin Fig. 3 on line 4 4. Fig. 5 is a viewofthe switch shown 5 in Fig. 3 set for the left-hand track. Fig. 6

is an end elevation of Fig. 5.

It has not been considered necessary to show in the drawings all of thedifferent forms of track intersections to which this switch is butenough has been shown to illustrate its adaptability to any combination.

That shown in Fig. 1, where a curved track merges into a straight, canbe readily altered to adapt it to two straight tracks merging in thecurved members of the switch straight, and a mere reversal of the saidcurved members will adapt the switch to operate on a track entering thestraight track from the right instead of the left hand The same is trueof the construction shown in Figs. 3 and 5.

and its outer edge is The various parts of the switch are made of, somesuitable metal, as cast-iron.

Referring nowto the drawings, for each switch I provide a base-plate aof such form as to adapt it tothe particular place in which it is to belocated, and this plate serves not only as a support for the movablemembers of the switch, but also serves to unite rigidly the convergingparts of the tracks. As shown in the various figures,,the continuity ofthe tracks is broken at the switch locations, and two movable switchmembers I) and c are provided for each switch. b is the upper member andis pivoted on the base-plate a at d, made either curved or straight toconform to the track of which it forms a part. In Fig. 1 it is of oneform and in Figs. 3 and 5 of another. The switch member c is the lowermember and lies under the member I) when the latter is in operativeposition, as in Figs. 1 and 3, and is operated by the swinging movementsof the switch member 17, which has a swinging movement toward and awayfrom the base-plate a, and the member 0 has a horizontal swingingmovement on the top ofsaid plate, it being pivotally secured thereto byone corner thereof, as at e. The outer edges of themembers b and cconstitute short sections of each of the two converging tracks, that onthe member b being indicated'by fandthat on the member 0 by g, and whenthe memberb is in operative position, as in Figs. 1 and 3, the membercis withdrawn thereunder, and the track-section f on b will then formone continuous line with two separated ends of the tracks which con-.*erge at the switch. If the member 1), however, be thrown'upward andbackward, as in Fig. 6, the member 0 will by that movement be swungforward so thatits track-section g thereon will register with two otherseparated ends of the tracks converging at the switch, thus forming'acontinuous line of track leading, in another direction from that formedwith the aid of the member 0.

The means whereby the member c is operated by the memberb are providedbythe location of a short rigid arm h'(seen in-Figs. 2, at, and 6) onthe under sideof the member I) and projecting at right angles therefromand of one or more curved arms i i, extending from the rear edge of themember I) outward and slightly downward. A hole j is made through themember 0, through which the arm h may pass when the member bis swungdownward from the position it occupies in Fig. (3 to that shown in Fig.4. In its descent the arm h strikes the edge of the hole j and forcesthe member from the position it occupies in Fig. to

that shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5. When the member I) is swung in theopposite direction, the curved arms 2' i will engage the rear edge ofthe member c and push it forward into proper registering position withthe tracks.

The base-plate a. is cut away at its rear side, as shown by its dottedoutline in Fig. 5, to the end that the arms h and i 2' may act on themember 0, as described.

In Fig. 1 two arms 2' are shown, whereas but one is shownin Fig. 3, andin explanation thereof it may be said that in some forms of switches themember 0 may be used either right or left handed, and in that case twoarms 2' would be provided, though only one would be in use with a givenmember c-viz., that farthest away from the pivotal point of the member.The 1n ember Z1 may be provided with either one or two arms i, accordingto the requirements of the construction.

The member I) is made of such form as will adapt it to close down overthe member 0 and at the same time bring its track-section into the samehorizontal plane with that of the last-named member.

Those portions of the member 0 against which the arms h and 't' bear maybe thickened up, as indicated at and Z, to provide against the too-rapidwear of said member at those points.

A groove m is preferably cut through the member 0 concentric with thepivotal point of said member and a pin 91 passed through said groove andsecured in the base-plate a, whereby the degree of swinging movementpermitted to said member may be limited.

It is desirable to provide means for operating the member Z; of theswitch in either direction either at the switch proper or from somepoint remote therefrom, and to this end a short arm 0 extends from therear side of the member I) upwardly and rearwardly, which is connected,by means of a link 19, with a lever g, which may be of any desiredlength and which at some point between its two extremities is pivotallysupported on a suitable hanger '1". different points thereon, with whicha handhook may be engaged to swing said lever in a vertical plane toimpart the desired movement to the memberb.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. The combination with two converging lines of track, of a switchmember adapted to swing in a vertical plane into and out of a positionof registration with one interrupted Holes 8 are made in said lever atvof said tracks, and a second switch member adapted to swing in ahorizontal plane into and out of a position of registration with theotherof said tracks, whereby said members may constitute a continuationof each of said tracks, substantially as described.

2. The combination with two interrupted converging lines of track, of aswitch member adapted to swing in a vertical plane into and out of aposition of registration with one of said tracks, and a second switchmember adapted to swing in a horizontal plane into and out of a positionof registration with the other of said tracks, one of said members beingautomatically operated by the other, and whereby said members mayconstitute a continuation of each of said tracks, substantially asdescribed. 3. The combination with two interrupted converging lines oftrack, of a switch member adapted to swing in a vertical plane into andout of a position of registration with one of said tracks, and a secondswitch member adapted to swing in a horizontal plane into and out of aposition of registration with the other of said tracks, said secondmember being automatically operated by said firstnamed member, whereby,when the latter is moved into operative position, said second memberwill be moved out of operative position, and vice versa, substantiallyas described.

4. A track-switch comprising one switch member adapted to be swungvertically into and out of operative position; a second switch memberadapted to be swung horizontally into and out of operative position,andmeans on one of said members adapted to engage 1 the other of saidmembers, whereby the move ment of one will effect the movement of theother, as described.

5. A switch for overhead-trolley tracks com-' prising a plate unitingtwo ends of an interrupted track, a switch member adapted to movehorizontally on said plate to complete said track, and a second memberadapted to swing vertically on said plate to form a continuation of atrack approaching said plate, with one end of the track secured thereto,substantially as described.

6. The combination with two interrupted converging lines of track, of aswitch 1nember adapted to swing in a vertical plane into and out of aposition of registration with one of said tracks, and a second switchmember adapted to swing in a horizontal plane into and out of a positionof registration with the other of said tracks, said second member "beingautomatically operated by said firstnamed member, whereby, when thelatter is moved into operative position, said second member will bemoved out of operative position, and vice versa, combined with means foroperating said vertically-swinging member from a position near to orremote from said switch, substantially as described.

7 A switch for overhead-trolley tracks conr thereof,pivotally connectedto said vertically moving member, whereby the actuation of to said levermay impart swinging movements to said member, substantially asdescribed.

PAUL F. WERNER.

Witnesses:

H. A. OHAPIN, K. I. CLEMONS.

